Lack of association between the 5-HTTLPR and positive screening for mental disorders among children exposed to urban violence and maltreatment.

Cividanes, Giuliana C.; Mello, Andrea F.; Sallum, Juliana M.; Fossaluza, Victor; de Medeiros, Marcio; Maciel, Mariana R.; Cavalcante-Nóbrega, Luciana P.; Mari, Jair J.; Mello, Marcelo F.; Valente, Nina L.

Objective: To ascertain whether genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR 44-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism) influence an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents exposed to high levels of violence. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from a group of children who were working on the streets and from their siblings who did not work on the streets. DNA was extracted from the saliva samples and analyzed for 5-HTTLPR polymorphism genotypes. Results: One hundred and seventy-seven children between the ages of 7 and 14 years were analyzed (114 child workers and 63 siblings). Data on socioeconomic conditions, mental symptoms, and presence and severity of maltreatment and urban violence were collected using a socio-demographic inventory and clinical instruments. There was no positive correlation between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and presence of mental symptoms in our sample, although the children were exposed to high levels of abuse, neglect, and urban violence. Conclusions: Despite previous studies that associated adult psychiatric disorders with the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and a history of childhood maltreatment, no such association was found in this sample of children at risk.

SEROTONIN transporters; DEPRESSION in children; CHILD labor; CHILD abuse; MEDICAL genetics; PSYCHOLOGY

Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry / Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 2014, Vol 36, Issue 4, p277

1516-4446

Academic Journal

10.1590/1516-4446-2013-1150